It says much about the spirit at Norths that flyhalf Harry Langbridge and his teammates where quickly on clean-up duty after Cyclone Alfred unleashed its fury on the club.
The first graders helped remove the branches, logs and general debris that spilled from the flooded Kedron Brook or got jammed on the bridge over Shaw Road.
In many seasons over the past 40 years, a photo of Hugh Courtney Oval underwater almost to crossbar would have signified the fortunes of the club as well.
Not these days. The fresh life and ambition at the club is a fantastic feature of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
Beware any team that treats the Eagles lightly. It certainly won’t be Easts at Bottomley Park in Round One on Saturday because the Tigers may be the first club to have a complex about Norths for decades.
The Tigers tripped up twice in their match-ups last season when not respecting Norths enough.
For Langbridge, the culture at the club is tangible because it lured back influential centre Jack Peoples when he was all set to join the Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield.
“The ground was very underwater. A fair few of the first grade boys got down to Clean Up Day where there was a big turnout at the club to help out,” Langbridge said.
“(Hooker) Dan Healy brought his own shovel. (Fullback) Alex Smith is more white collar so he was there for show.”
Norths finished seventh last year with four wins and knocked off University of Queensland seven tries-to-five in an encouraging final trial last weekend.
“There’s definitely a feeling that the club is on the rise. We had some good wins towards the end of last season, won the State Sevens, kept some players and there’s a confidence,” Langbridge added.
The rebuild has been on in earnest at Bottomley Park where coach Simon Craig has found an ally in former Melbourne Rebels coach Tony “Dumper” McGahan, the club’s new General Manager.
From fielding one of 2024’s smallest packs, the Tigers will not lack for size in 2025.
No.8 Nuku Swerling adds more than 140kg of authority by himself. The return of former Reds hooker Andrew Ready is another big plus because he’ll also be a mentor for young tighthead Nick Bloomfield.
Lock Will Sankey will co-captain with halfback Eli Pilz.
How seriously the Tigers are treating Norths is reflected in a fresh front-row sitting on the bench with Reds squad hooker Max Craig, JP Tominiko and former Western Force prop Angus Wagner.
“We lost twice to Norths last year. We didn’t show them enough respect first time around and didn’t fight hard enough for that extra spot up the ladder in the second match,” Craig said honestly.
“I really feel we will benefit from a stronger, more experienced leadership group this season.”
At Sci-Fleet Stadium, grand finalists Wests will field a new-look side against Bond University.
Byron Smith will be at flyhalf for the Bulldogs. He has been schooled in the Blues system in Auckland since his slick days for Nudgee College.
Up front, former Melbourne Rebel Angelo Smith will be an asset as a flanker.
At Chipsy Wood Oval, new Souths coach Rama Chand will have a local derby to contend with first up against Sunnybank.
Former Wallaby Garrick Morgan will offer coach support after two years at the helm and guiding his beloved Magpies back to the semi-finals in 2024.
“It’s been unreal working with Rama in the off-season, the players are engaged and he’s ably supported by Jason Jones as Director of Rugby and Taffy Longman as Grades Co-ordinator. I look forward to continue to assist and work with Rama, all coaches, and the players to achieve a winning season for the Club,” Morgan said in a statement posted on the club’s website.
“I do have a health challenge that I need to focus on and ask for your understanding at this time while I come to terms with it.”
At St Lucia, University coach Elton Berrange will debut several new combinations against GPS.
Halfback Flynn McDermott and Kiwi Kody Edwards will be the new halves pairing now Brad Twidale has retired.
A shoulder injury has grounded lock Lachie Connors for now.
Welsh arrival Morgan Rees slots in on the wing and brings a sure goalkicking boot with him.
Keep an eye out on the bench for Australian Under-18s back Tom Howard, a two-try factor in last weekend’s trial against Norths.
"We know that GPS pose an enormous breakdown threat through the likes of Matt Gicquel, Nick Baker and Lachie Howse so we have to pitch up and limit that disruption," Berrange said.
"We finally get to start the season. I think everyone is excited about that across the competition."
To launch the new StoreLocal Challenge Cup for women, there will be seven games on Saturday.
Easts and Norths will play at Bottomley Park, UQ will host Wests second grade, Bond Pirates will host Brothers on the Gold Coast, Brisbane Irish will debut against Gold Coast Eagles, Redlands Combined will meet Sunnybank Black at Wynnum Rugby Club, Wests first grade will be at home for Bond Uni and Souths will have a tough one against Sunnybank Green.
